Metaya Argaw Tilahun
A New Urban Quarter and an Academy of Architecture
GONDAR, ETHIOPIA
Spring 2020
The new quarter is proposed to be a dynamic and walkable urban structure that will include a range of residential, commercial and civic buildings. All of this building will be thought of within the context of Gondarian society and architectural character. That being said, the character of the quarter will be of some challenge, given the fact that over the past few decades, the infrastructure industry in Ethiopia has eroded the urban and architectural character of cities all across the country. Another aim of this project is to rediscover Ethiopian architectural character and urban structure and reimagining it to fit the current lifestyles of the people. To that end, the theories of New Urbanism have proven instrumental in tackling the issue at hand.
Masterplan for the New Urban Quarter
Diagram Showing Main Pedestrian Armature Diagram Showing Vehicular Circulation Diagram Showing the extisting Vehicular Circulation
This project has the potential to introduce New Urbanism to developing countries such as Ethiopia and with that the possibility to put an end to the never-ending expansion and sprawl that is eating away cities such as Addis Ababa. The prism is that by centering towns and neighborhoods on civic spaces, we can then achieve the more natural “cellular” development of urban forms that have been achieved in pre-industrial times. The proposal for a renewed urban mandate will not only transform major cities in Ethiopia but will also give opportunities to create satellite communities in the rural areas of the country. The ability to conceive of a comprehensive model for an urbanism of small towns, will – in the long run – dramatically reduce the need for rural populations to have to migrate to larger cities. In general, tackling one corner of the urban structure can have a far-reaching implication in addressing the needs of the urban and rural population in Ethiopia.
Though the overall programmatic ideals of my thesis statements rests on the academy as a whole –an institution with multiple crafts driven programs, the focus of my architectural exploration was the school of architecture. This building is the largest of all of the buildings that make us the academy. The premise being that architecture is the body that brings together all the different facets of the infrastructure in industry. I have also included interdisciplinary studios and workshop spaces, even though the building is primarily concerned with architecture education. Community engagement and connectivity to the larger urban context is another important theme though out the project as a whole. I envisioned resident of the city as well as visitors being able to access the building on a day-today basis. This was achieved by including several retail spaces; which also have the added benefit of bringing in additional income. The topography of the site also lends itself to utilize these retail space.
Section though the plaza
Interior Elevation of the Galleria showing the stain glass windows and entrance to the Library
Longitudinal Section Transverse
Development Sketch for the Academy Urban Block
Arial view of the academy and connection the main road
The overall parti is fairly straight forward, with two major axes that are the organizing element as well as the main circulation thought out the building. The first level houses the major public function of the building such as, the galleria, the library, exhibit spaces as well as the auditorium. The open courtyard and the galleria have the added benefit of letting in more natural light and ventilation. The second and third levels mostly consist of studio spaces; aside from the coffee house that is located on the third level. Coffee is very significant in the Ethiopian culture and it was important to have a space where we can celebrate the culture, have great conversations and get much needed fuel. The coffee house is facing the existing church and is envisioned as a space that can provide interesting views to the river and beyond.
The proposed school is the overall programmatic driven programs, the focus buildings that make us of the infrastructure in primarily concerned with
intended to be a center for the study, and exploration of architecture as the study of humanism. Though programmatic ideals of my thesis statements rests on the academy as a whole – an institution with multiple crafts focus of my architectural exploration was the school of architecture. This building is the largest of all of the the academy. The premise being that architecture is the body that brings together all the different facets industry. I have also included interdisciplinary studios and workshop spaces, even though the building is with architecture education.
Development Sketch of the plaza elevation
Development Sketch of the plaza elevation
Development Sketch of the street elevation
Interior Elevation of the Open Courtyard showing the Moorish fountains
View from inside the plaza looking at the main library
View from inside the plaza looking south
View from inside the Galleria looking at the library entrance
View from the second level of the Galleria
View of library from the first level
View of library from the second level
Arial View of the Architecture building and Plaza Mentewab
Another way I was able to address the signaling its importance. At the same lowing the building a connection to side through the auditorium. The auditorium having the need to traverse the whole the added benefit of having multiple
Auditorium Entrance facing
the topographic change is by elevating the academy on a platform on the east side of the building – thus same time the platform itself is part of the building; under which the retail spaces would be located – althe street level. In addition to the retail space one can have direct access to the building form the street auditorium can function as a space where the community can engage with talks and lectures without whole building. Students are also able to access the auditorium from the first level (plaza level), which has multiple ingress and egress point to the auditorium.
facing North
View of Plaza Mentewab from the Roof Terrace
Approach to the Main Plaza of the Academy
